Pittsburgh Steelers’ Interest in Jaxon Dart Appears Overblown
Reports surfaced early Friday that the Pittsburgh Steelers planned to host Ole Miss quarterback Jaxon Dart for a pre-draft visit in April. The news, coming on the same day as Ole Miss’ pro day, fueled speculation that Pittsburgh could shock everyone by selecting Dart with the 21st overall pick in the first round. However, the Steelers’ actions later that day suggested otherwise.
Lack of Top Decision-Makers at Ole Miss Pro Day
As Derrick Bell of Steelers Now pointed out, neither head coach Mike Tomlin nor general manager Omar Khan attended Ole Miss’ pro day. Instead, only assistant GM Andy Weidl represented the team’s higher-ups. This absence is significant, as teams typically send their top decision-makers to evaluate potential first-round quarterbacks.
While Pittsburgh drafted Washington tackle Troy Fautanu last year despite Tomlin and Khan missing his pro day, evaluating offensive linemen in that setting is vastly different from evaluating quarterbacks. A franchise QB requires more in-person assessment, from on-field performance to leadership qualities.
No Mike Tomlin or Omar Khan at the Ole Miss Pro Day?#GodIsGood pic.twitter.com/UoNNHraUon
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) March 28, 2025
Steelers More Interested in Jalen Milroe?
In contrast, Tomlin and Khan did attend Alabama’s pro day, getting a close look at Jalen Milroe. This strongly suggests the Steelers may prefer Milroe as a mid-round option, possibly in the third round, rather than making a surprising first-round selection with Dart.
With defensive line and wide receiver depth among Pittsburgh’s primary concerns, it’s more likely they address those needs early in the draft rather than selecting a quarterback they didn’t prioritize scouting in person.
Long-Term QB Plan in the Works?
Recent speculation indicates the Steelers could be planning a trade-up in the 2026 draft for their next franchise quarterback. If they draft Milroe this year, he would provide competition for the current depth chart while also serving as a potential fallback option should the Steelers miss out on their top QB target in 2026.
Ultimately, while Dart’s visit to Pittsburgh is intriguing, the evidence suggests he is not a serious contender for the Steelers’ first-round pick. Instead, the team appears more focused on long-term QB development and building the roster around a future franchise signal-caller.